By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Following uneven surface of the newly re-grassed pitch of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, the March 29 FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 return leg tie between Nigeria and Ghana may not hold in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after all.
Nigeria will host Ghana in the country in the winner takes all second leg of the final qualifiers between the two West African football powerhouses.
But Prompt News investigations have revealed that the pitch of the mainbowl is not top notch with grasses not covering every part of the field although the pitch looks lush green.
A recent tour of the pitch revealed that the pitch is unequal as a thorough job may not have been done before the newly regrassed pitch was handed over to the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development last December.
It was discovered that the surface of the refurbished mainbowl pitch is undulating and will not ensure free-flowing football, which suggests that a proper equipment was not used by the contractors to smoothen the surface of the pitch after regrassing of the pitch have been completed.
Specifically, a motorized roller such as Vibratory Rollers which are almost identical to smooth wheel rollers (including the single and double drum), used in other climes to smoothen the surface of the pitch after regrassing may not have been used at Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Unbefitting…Cylindrical roller used to level the surface of the mainbowl pitch of MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
This was evidently proven late last December when the Super Eagles trained for few days before traveling to Garoua, Cameroon for the ill-fated participation in the 33rd African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Prompt News can confirm that rather than use motorized rollers to smoothen the pitch, Cylindrical Rollers were seen at the stadium, indicating that these were used by the contractors to level the surface of the mainbowl pitch.
This type of walk-behind rollers are used mainly for small and private projects like backyard works rather than a football pitch or large spaces just as they are traditional; relatively lightweight and are pushed by one person at a time.
For the above reason, the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) relevant organ that approves match venues may be reluctant to give a nod for the use of the stadium except Nigeria authorities do the needful before March 2022.
Meanwhile, CAF has scheduled the two-legged final matches to be played 23-29 March 23 to 29, 2022 with the five winners of the two games qualifying for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Full Fixtures are:
* Egypt vs Senegal
* Ghana vs Nigeria
* Mali vs Tunisia
* DR Congo vs Morocco
*Cameroon vs Algeria.
